PARKINSON, ANTHONY, in religion Cuthbert (1667–1728), Franciscan friar, born in 1667, was engaged in missionary work in England in 1693. He was president of his order at Birmingham in 1698, and at Warwick in 1701; guardian at Worcester in 1704, and at Oxford in 1710; and was elected provincial on 3 May 1713. At the chapter held on 9 May 1716 the thanks of the province were voted to him ‘pro collectione et impressione Statutorum pro Missionariis Provinciæ nostræ in Anglia degentibus.’ Father Lewis Sabran, S.J., writing from Rome on 8 May 1723, says: ‘The friars began their general congregation this morning, between five and six hundred having a voice in it. The English provincial, F. Parkinson, arrived hither very dangerously ill; but I found him yesterday well recovered, though very weak.’ The Oxford antiquary, Thomas Hearne, notes in his diary, 4 June 1726: ‘On Thursday last, in the afternoon, called upon me, Father Cuthbert Parkinson, who came from East Hendred, in Berks, on purpose to see me. His nephew, Mr. Fetherstone, came along with him, and yesterday I spent the greater part of the day with them. … He is a very learned worthy man, and of an excellent good-natured temper’ (Reliquiæ Hearnianæ, 2nd edit. ii. 245). Parkinson died in England on 30 Jan. 1727–8.

He was the author of ‘Collectanea Anglo-Minoritica, or a Collection of the Antiquities of the English Franciscans, or Friers Minors, commonly call'd Gray Friers. In two parts. With an appendix concerning the English nuns of the order of St. Clare. Compil'd and collected by A. P.,’ London, 1726, 4to. The second volume, or part, contains an account of the colleges and churches of the Franciscans ‘heretofore in England.’ Parkinson informed Hearne that he compiled this work by the help of books in the study of Charles Eyston, esq., of East Hendred.

Lowndes notices under his name a work thus described: ‘A Legend of the Foundation of St. Begas Abbey.’ White, 1826. Privately printed, only 12 copies. Wrangham.